Saturday, February 20, 2010

EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Say equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) to people and they instantly think assisted riding. However, EAP is in fact much more than that. EAP is an experiential form of therapy using horses to help children, adolescents and families use metaphors to recover from emotional and behavioral problems through participating in activities with rescued horses. It has been proven to help children improve in self-confidence, conflict resolutions, relationships, and recover from depression, aggression, low self-esteem, and loneliness. It has shown to be effective in addressing hostility, poor impulse control and attention span.

Why horses? Horses have a unique ability to read and immediately respond to human verbal and non-verbal communications. With this the horse acts as a mirror for the human participant and they possess an effective ability to confront the attitudes and behaviors that are problematic. The activities are physical as well as emotional in nature making them a much more dynamic forum for confronting the child’s issues. Through a series of activities constructed by the equine specialist and the psychologist present, the horses and humans interact on the ground in a powerful, emotion-eliciting experience. It is the participant’s interpretation of the interaction that is the catalyst for change.

EAP has been in use for at least thirty years and numerous studies have proven it is more powerfully and efficiently change-making than traditional talk therapy. Through the process of risk-taking the children can test and improve their abilities to control themselves and their surroundings. Horses are also non-judgemental and offer children the ability to learn that to change the horses’ behavior they must change their own behaviors, thoughts and feelings.

No previous knowledge of horses is necessary. They are a mirror to yourselves, they are there to teach you. EAP has proven to be very effective in addressing issues such as:

SELF-CONTROL PEER PRESSURE
MOOD DISORDERS ANGER
IRRITABILITY ALIENATION
DISTRUST ADDICTION
OPPOSITIONAL BEHAVIOR FOCUS PROBLEMS
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS FROM ABUSE

At Turning Point Stable you will be able to experience this powerful form of psychotherapy under the guidance of an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Ardelle Peters and Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sharon Davern. Ms. Davern has over thirty years of experience in working in the mental health field with trauma including at-risk children, corrections and special education. Ms. Peters has over thirty years as an RN. They will be with you and the horses the entire time you participate but will allow you to create your own experiences toward a resolution of your symptoms and form closer, more quality relationships.
For appointment or more information call: 507-657-5420 or 507-534-2668.